November 2009 Newsletter

RECAP OF THE SUMMER:
We were in a wet pattern again. For much of June and July we had plentiful rain, lots of thunderstorms and cool temperatures. The rest of the summer was more normal but those who like hot weather were disappointed. August and September were very nice but NOT hot. Good sleepin’ weather though and the lake was full all summer.

ANNUAL MEETING:
Held on Sat. July 11th in Mary Richard’s and Goldsmith’s back yard on Olde Pine Rd. Once again we thank them for this use. It was a nice day with 65-70 attending. Major topics covered were:

• Our Officers have all agreed to serve again for the 2009-10 season. They do a great and much appreciated job in upholding the mission: “Dedicated to promoting the welfare of P.R.P. and its environs.” The Assn. welcomes ideas, input and participation from all throughout the year – not just at meetings. Future leaders – don’t be shy!
• Bob Lundgren announced the winner of the Jim McRobbie Memorial Ice-Out Contest. Al Barbin of Grenier Road won. The official ice-out time was April 11 @8:00 PM. Al was not “right on the money” but was closest to the actual time.
• Donations of $200 each were approved for the Loon Preservation Committee and the NH Lakes Association.
• Donations of $100 each were approved for the Acton-Wakefield Watershed Alliance and the East Wakefield Firemen’s Association.

MEMBERSHIP:
We now have 329 paid memberships, down from 354 last year... However, it would be helpful to know who has moved onto the lake so we can offer to put them in the loop. Talk it up! The website www.pineriverpond.org has information about us and the application to join.

ROAD ASSOCIATION INFORMATION NEEDED
The PRP Association would like to know the names and contact information for all the various road association leaders on the lake. Even though you THINK we know who you are, please confirm this by contacting Howie Knight. (603-522-3097 -- xcaliber@roadrunner.com). There are two meetings a year (April and October) that these folks have the option to attend so we want to be able to notify them.

PRP CLOTHING – Special News
Boni McRobbie deserves such a vote of thanks for managing our biggest fundraising resource for the past 16 years! Sales of PRP logo clothing, mugs, maps, guidebooks, note cards and artwork have brought the organization into solid financial health. We are pleased to say that Boni is passing this volunteer effort on to the capable hands of Deborah Dunn beginning Summer 2010. Deb and husband Tim are on Grenier Road off Lord Road. More info will follow in the Spring newsletter.

FIREWORKS SHOW July 11:
Once again, a great show and a semi-beautiful evening. While the shooters were setting up many of us were watching weather radar since showers were forecast later that evening…probably AFTER the show. Well at 9:00 PM the heavens opened up but the initial shower was over in ten minutes. The show then went off and the rain mercifully waited until it was over to begin again. We also thank Michawanic Village Assn for the use of their beach again. This is the ONLY suitable place on the lake for a fireworks display. Pete Congdon, the Fireworks Chairman, asked me to express his appreciation to the cleanup crew. Several folks showed up the next morning, went to work and cleaned up the debris. Pete, thanks for coordinating this great event once again!
Contributions were up this year and we made our goal of $7,000 for the show. Thanks to all who donated to make this a success.

WEED WATCH: (submitted by Sue Lynn)
"Sue Lynn and Edie Clarey from Michawanic Village Condominium Association headed up the Weed Watch this summer and, while there was not a great deal of participation, they did bring a few samples over to Barry Fryer to take to Concord. Since nothing untoward was reported back, they presume "no news is good news" and that all is well concerning our aquatic growth in PRP" .
We are still hoping to get an official report back from Concord and when that happens, it will be reported on our website.
After two consecutive years of a “bladderwort eruption” and none last year. It appeared that the overall bladderwort crop would be minimal again. However we did have a minor eruption. It’s still a mystery as to why this happens.

PARTY BOAT PARADE: A beautiful Labor Day weekend Sunday was conducive to a great party boat parade. There were many creative and colorful themes to entertain both the spectators and participants. Thanks to Golini Family for organizing. Photos on the website!

BOATING SAFETY COURSE:
After years of reminders it’s nice to know that you all have taken and passed the test! (just kidding of course). Generally a boat education certificate is required if you drive a boat with 25hp and over. For all the rules read them in the book or go on line to the NH Dept of Safety
at http://www.boat-ed.com/nh/index.htm

WINTER SPORTS:
Here’s my annual pitch for the Seven Lakes Snowmobile Club. A core of dedicated snowmobilers (many from Pine River Pond) work hard to get permission for, maintain and groom about 50 miles of trail in Greater Wakefield. With construction and road development in the area it’s getting harder to keep trails open, so we appreciate the cooperation of the many landowners who permit this use. The trails are also used by walkers and cross country skiers, so it’s important to use caution and common sense when traveling the trails. To learn more about the Seven Lakes Snowmobile Club, please see their website: http://www.sevenlakessnowmobileclub.com. If you belong to a club, registration is discounted!

LOST AND FOUND and “FOR SALE”:
Contact “e-mail tree” administrator Dave Lee Sr. and he will broadcast the information to our on-line group. In the “for sale” category, please keep it to lake-related items. Dave also keeps us in the loop about town government via e-mail. In order to get onto the group e-mail list, simply e-mail him at prpassociation@roadrunner.com.

LAKE DRAWDOWN INFO:
Lake drawdown began around October 13. It is a slow drawdown year with the level declining to the maximum 7’-8’ by late November. Of course heavy rain can affect this schedule. Last year I spoke with Jim Gallagher at the NH Dam Bureau to clarify the slow vs fast drawdown schedule. He reminded me that as the result of a public hearing in 1983 it was decided that a “fast” drawdown would occur every three years, 2008 being a “fast” year. In a normal drawdown year the lake would not be down until mid-December. Obviously in a slow year, working on one’s dock or beach becomes more difficult with the onset of cold weather, so if your dock needs reinforcing, this is a good year to do it.

2009 GOLF TOURNAMENT:
Held at Province Lake CC on Friday July 10. Over 60 golfers participated. Weather was perfect again this year.. Thanks again to Don Cormier for organizing this popular event. He certainly makes it a fun time. Results are:
A Flight Winners: Howie Prior; Dick Conant;
Marion Morgan; Pat Nethercott
B Flight Winners: Howie Knight; Paul Beaver;
Dave Beaver ;Jamie Beaver
C Flight Winners: John Reilly; Bruce Marinel;
Tom Taylor; Dave Ekstrom
D Flight Winners: Laura Ames; Charlie Ames;
Debbie Collamore Fred Mapplebeck
Putting Contest Winners: Dave Lettelier;
Ken Lettelier; Dorango Torres; Al Mara
Closest to the Pin #5: Pat Small; Jen Berube
Closest to the Pin #11: Dave Johnson; Jen Berube
Closest to the Pin #14: Al Hernandez ; Thelma Bold
Longest Drive #2: Marion Morgan; Pat Small
Longest Drive #6: John Myers; Thelma Bold
LongestDrive #15: Keith Cormier; Jen Berube

FALL TIPS FOR SEASONAL RESIDENTS:
Just giving you all a final reminder….Are your pipes all drained including the pipe to the showerhead? Toilets flushed and pumped out? Antifreeze in the traps? Boat engine cooling systems drained?

NEXT EDITION:
The Fall issue is later again this year. Next edition will be in the Spring.

ICE OUT CONTEST: I had announced at the annual meeting that due to my personal schedule, I wouldn’t be able to run the annual Jim McRobbie Ice-Out Contest since I would likely be away during that period. However no one came forward to run it so I will still manage it but in the following way:
1) There is no formal application form this year.
2) In lieu of an application, simply e-mail me your best guess by including your name, address, phone #, as well as the ice-out month, date and time in 30 minute increments.
3) For those of you without e-mail, simply mail me a note with the same information.
4) My e-mail is robertlundgren1@roadrunner.com and mail address is 94 Grenier Rd, Sanbornville, NH 03872
5) Ice out will defined by the point when the lake is essentially free of ice. Last season I went nuts waiting for the last ice cube to melt!
6) If I am not here, I’ll have rely on volunteers to determine ice out. So far Howie Knight has offered. Anyone else? Let me know.
7) The winner be the closest guess either before or after the announced time. Prize is $100!
8) The applications must be received no later than January 31. They will be filed and not looked at until after the iceout time is announced. Winner’s name is announced at the annual meeting

PASSAGES: Our condolences to the families of the following who passed away during 2009.
Nancy Ward of Olde Pine Road and Arizona..grandmother of Eric and Jeff Ward.
Clifford Nelson of Pinewood Shores Road & Florida, brother of the late Gladys Goldsmith
Sara Hernandez.. prematurely born infant daughter of Cheryl Lundgren and Alvaro Hernandez. Her twin sister Elena is now at home and doing well.
Judy Norwood of Chandler Lane and Danvers, MA
Dorothy (Dot) White age 96; on Lord Road since 1960

LOON (& Bird) REPORT:
There were no chicks or nests this year but we had at least one pair on the lake and several from time to time. Hopefully you saw the bald eagle and the young one too.
Spectacular to see!

Bob Lundgren Newsletter Editor
P.S. Don’t forget to check out our website: www.pineriverpond.org. Thanks to Dave Lee Jr. for maintaining the site and to all who have contributed photos.